While the Delhi Government is all set to implement second phase of the odd-even scheme in April, experts feel that the second edition of the odd-even scheme should have been implemented in May or June because pollution levels are high during that period compared to April.
According to the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), the first ten days of April have recorded “moderate” levels of pollutant particle in the Capital air. According to environment experts, with people having to forego their vehicles and facing inconvenience during the running span of this scheme, better benefits could be reaped from that sacrifice in May or June when pollution levels are high due to dust storm in the neighbouring States like Rajasthan and Haryana.
“The Delhi Government’s concern to curb pollution is admirable, but Delhi needs the scheme at the time when pollution levels remain high, for instance May-June or in winter months when mass concentration of pollutants are abnormally high,” said an environmentalist.
Delhi pollution history also reveals that March, April and September are the months when levels of particulate matters are not extremely high as compared to other months of the year. Besides pollution factor, the implementation of odd-even scheme in May will give some relief to Delhi people due to summer vacation period of schools.
Recently, Delhi BJP president Shri Satish Upadhyay had urged the Delhi Government to change the odd-even trial period from April 15-30 to May 15-30.
Upadhyay said except for hollow advertising, there does not seem to be any concrete plan with the Delhi Government.
He said though it has been experienced that odd-even scheme did not help reduce pollution in January trial, yet the Government is insistent to do a retrial. But while doing so, it should at least give basic solutions to people’s problem.
“The biggest problem stressing the minds of the people is related to schoolchildren. Over 25 per cent schoolchildren travel by private vehicles and the Government has no plan how to give relief to those driving vehicles to and fro to drop and pick students.
“Similarly, many colleges are open and competitive exams are to be held in the latter half of April. Thus the Government should change the trial period from latter half of April to the latter half of May when most educational institutes are closed,” he said.